PHILADELPHIA, PA — Let the good times roll — and then roll some more. Philadelphia’s only full-scale Mardi Gras pop-up bar experience is back, and organizers say 2026 will be the most over-the-top edition yet.
Craftsman Row Saloon has transformed its entire space into a New Orleans–style celebration, reopening its annual Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bar Experience running through Fat Tuesday. The South 8th Street saloon has been reimagined from floor to ceiling with glittering beads, feathers, masquerade masks, jazz instruments, and glowing green, purple, and gold lighting designed to evoke Bourbon Street at full throttle.
Thousands of decorative elements replace the venue’s award-winning Christmas pop-up, with umbrellas suspended overhead, street signs lining the walls, and themed dining areas meant to mirror Mardi Gras floats and French Quarter jazz clubs. Even the exterior of the building is illuminated in carnival colors.
At the center of the spectacle is the return of the fan-favorite King of Bourbon Street Milkshake — an extravagant creation made with local vanilla ice cream, real king cake crumble, cinnamon, caramel drizzle, festive sprinkles, and signature Mardi Gras flair. A boozy version is also available.
The food menu leans hard into Big Easy indulgence, featuring Po Boys, Crawfish Mac and Cheese, Jambalaya, the Big Easy Burger, and new additions such as the King Cake Burger, Cajun Wings, Creole Salad, Andouille Sausage Rice Balls, and NOLA-inspired loaded fries. All items are offered alongside Craftsman Row’s full comfort-food menu.
The bar is pouring an expanded lineup of Bourbon Street–inspired cocktails, many served with keepsake beads, masks, headbands, or light-up ice cubes. Highlights include Hurricanes, Purple Haze Margaritas, a King Cake Espresso Martini, Spiced Apple Sazeracs, and playful shots like the Hand Grenade and Grasshopper.
“We are excited to bring our Mardi Gras Pop-Up Experience back to Philadelphia,” said co-owner Vasiliki Tsiouris. “You can be the King of Bourbon Street with our over-the-top milkshake made with real king cake. This year we added even more to fully appeal to the senses.”
Co-owner George Tsiouris said the decision to expand the experience followed the venue’s most successful holiday season to date.
“We went even more over the top,” he said. “This is the most elaborate décor we’ve ever done for Mardi Gras, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back as the countdown to Fat Tuesday begins.”
The pop-up runs Wednesday through Sunday, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen closes one hour before the bar. Reservations are available by calling 215-923-0123 or through OpenTable, which is now live for the event.
Craftsman Row Saloon is located at 112 South 8th Street in Philadelphia’s historic Jeweler’s Row. The building has served as a neighborhood bar and restaurant for more than a century and was most recently known as Coco’s before being reimagined by the Tsiouris family, who also co-own Drury Beer Garden in Midtown Village.
For Mardi Gras revelers looking for beads, bourbon, and Big Easy excess without leaving the city, the party has officially returned.
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